University of Northern Iowa student settles discrimination complaint with student, agrees to training

The state Board of Regents has agreed to settle a complaint with a University of Northern Iowa student who accused the institution and its employees of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

As part of the settlement with the student — whose name is redacted in board documents — UNI Housing and Dining this fall will provide training on the campus’ “discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct” policy.

That policy bars “all forms of discrimination based on a protected class.”

“Sometimes, discrimination involves exclusion from or different treatment in activities, such as admission, athletics, or employment,” according to the policy. “Other times, discrimination takes the form of harassment or, in the case of sex-based discrimination, can encompass sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, dating violence or domestic violence.”

When someone reports a violation, according to the UNI policy, a Title IX coordinator attempts to work toward resolution.

“The university values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the formal complaint process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved,” according to the policy.

UNI’s Office of Compliance and Equity Management would provide one to three hours of training, as spelled out in the settlement, at or near the start of the fall 2022 semester.

UNI also agreed to pay the student $5,000 as long as the student dropped the complaint filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which was cross-filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and UNI’s Office of Compliance and Equity Management.

“In consideration of UNl's promise to provide training to persons in UNI Housing-Residence Life and to provide payment to complainant … complainant hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases, remises and forever discharges UNI, the Board of Regents of the State of Iowa,” according to the settlement. “Complainant also warrants and represents that they have received all compensation due to them by UNI as a result of their prior employment with UNI.”

The settlement did not provide further details about the complaint. In settling the case, the student promised not to sue UNI or any other regent entity for the allegations in the future.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com